Riverfront Park is Harrisburg’s green jewel, an oasis of grass and trees hard against busy Front Street on one side and the flowing Susquehanna River on the other.
In several places, the grassy strip breaks up in favor of other interesting elements, such as statues, memorials and gardens.
Among the most visually appealing—the stately, Tudor-style Civic Club and the delightful garden that surrounds it. A community staple for about 60 years, the Civic Club garden boasts centuries-old beech and sycamore trees, azaleas, bleeding hearts, Jacob’s ladders, evergreens, an ever-blooming day lily bed and several varieties of hostas, hydrangeas and hibiscus.
On a warm spring day, a river breeze refreshes those who sit on the patio or take a stroll through a rambling pathway that meanders through the garden.
“Entering the garden in spring and early summer, you pass under the wisteria-covered gate,” said Civic Club Garden Chair Marybeth Lehtimaki. “These mainstays catch one’s eye, and curiosity brings one to wonder what else might be found.”
The Civic Club traces its roots to the turn of the 20th century and the days of legendary environmentalist Mira Lloyd Dock, who lived nearby and was instrumental in the myriad municipal improvements known collectively as City Beautiful. An original club member, Dock and other founders helped to beautify Harrisburg and make the city more livable by encouraging parks, gardens and improved sanitation.
Overlook, the name of the Civic Club building, was bequeathed to the club in 1914, and the gardens established several decades later. Bordering the park, the south wall garden is rich with color.
“Annuals and perennials, such as dianthus, daisies and violets, march through the seasons offering purples, white and lavender with seasonal splashes of yellow from spring bulbs and fall chrysanthemums,” said Lehtimaki.
Over the years, the garden has played backdrop to countless weddings, which may be what Overlook is most known for outside of the club itself. The garden also is open to the public during the day—for anyone seeking a peaceful respite—as well as other events.
“We are a very community-minded organization,” said Gail Bishop, Civic Club of Harrisburg president. “Our mission is to promote civic and social activities, which shall preserve the club in its landmark building.”
Today, an environmentally and socially healthy community remains at the top of the Civic Club’s priority list. Comprised of about 100 women who live in the greater Harrisburg region, the club encourages community interest and involvement, helps to nurture the welfare and education of children, seniors and other community members and strives to build relationships with other non-profits.
The Civic Club’s garden anchors its cause in a visual way. Floral colors and serene beauty serve as tangible reminders of the Civic Club’s mission to nurture Harrisburg’s natural environment while bringing the local community together.
“We want to make our community a better Harrisburg,” said Bishop. “It’s nice to be out and about in the community and foster strong relationships.”
The Civic Club of Harrisburg is located at 612 N. Front St., Harrisburg. For more information about the club, the building and the garden, visit www.civicclubofharrisburg.com.
